1st Quarter of 2013 Inventory Update

Howdy!

Now that the New Year has begun, so it is time to look at what is in the studio this quarter. This is a snapshot in time, and next week it will surely be different. Everything I have is for sale, so drop me a line if you see something that interests you. But don’t wait too long or you might miss out…

Basses: (it makes sense to start out here, as this is Rex and the Bass)

∙ Fender JV Serial 1957 Precision Bass re-issue

∙ CIJ Fender 1970 Precision Bass re-issue

∙ MIJ Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass

∙ MIJ Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass

∙ Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 with a 2-band equalizer

Electric Guitars:

∙ Yamaha SA-700 Super Axe

∙ MIJ Fender Telecaster Micawber

∙ CIJ Fender Telecaster Custom 1972 re-issue

∙ CIJ Fender Stratocaster 1962 re-issue

∙ Gibson Les Paul Standard

∙ Gibson SG Standard

Acoustic Guitars

∙ Simon and Patrick Songsmith Dreadnaught

∙ Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500E

∙ Kala soprano ukulele

∙ Kala tenor ukulele

∙ Kala U-Bass

Amplifiers

∙ Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 12-T with extension cabinet

∙ Ampeg SVT Classic with an Ampeg 810 Classic Cabinet

∙ Ampeg V4B

Check in again on April1 to see what has made the cut. You know it will be different!

Mahalo!

Ampeg V-4B Bass Amplifier Review

Howdy!

Until earlier this year I had used the same bass amplifier for a few years with no yearning for anything different, and I had become complacent about my tone. Then I got bitten by the tube bug, and I slid into a deal on an Ampeg SVT and an 810 cabinet. Things only got worse when a friend of mine offered up an early 1970s Ampeg V-4B bass amplifier head. I may be hooked.

The original run of Ampeg V-4B amplifiers was sold from 1971 to 1980, and were the sibling of the popular V-4 guitar amplifiers. There are a lot of similarities between the two, with the biggest differences being the lack of a reverb and master tone volume on the V-4B. These are popular amplifiers, but still can be found a bit cheaper than their contemporary SVTs.

The V-4B is a two-channel 100-watt all-tube amplifier, and was originally equipped with a passel of tubes, including: four 7027A power tubes, one 12AU7 driver tube, one 12DW7 preamp tube and two 12AX7 preamp tubes. Of course people replace tubes over the years, but these are the ones that should be in there. With all of this hardware and other related bits (transformer/power supply) they are pretty hefty, coming in around 65 pounds or so – a bit lighter than an SVT.

On the front of the head you will find two inputs (two channels), Volume 1 & Volume 2 knobs, Treble, Midrange & Bass knobs, and three switches for standby, polarity and power. There are also toggle switches about the equalizer knobs for Ultra Hi boost, three Midrange boost settings and Ultra Low boost.

On the back are speaker and external speaker outs, an impedance switch (2/4/8 ohm), two external amp outs, and AC outlet (really?) and a hum balance screw.

Any this all combines to make a neat amp. With all-tube power, 100 watts is plenty for most any venue. The V-4B will push my 810 loud enough that it makes me wince. Its tones are versatile: there is ample low end with a creamy tone that is sweeter than my newer SVT, but it still can get more than growly when I start to push it, making it a great rock amplifier. The only downside to this thing (if you can stand the weight), is that it is wider than any of the cabinets I own (even my Ampeg 810), so it looks kind of goofy sitting on top of the stack.

Mine shows plenty of wear, with torn tolex, a missing logo and most of the silk-screening worn off the control plate. But it still plays marvelously, and I consider it a keeper. Well, as much as anything that I own is a keeper, anyway.

There are not as many V-4Bs for sale as there are SVTs, but the prices are still reasonable: maybe $600 or $700 for a nice one. Of course, these amplifiers are old and have a ton of electricity coursing through them, so if you pick one up make sure to get it checked out by an amp technician to make sure it is not going to kill you. You might want to recap it and make sure the power supply is up to snuff.

Anyway, check an Ampeg V-4B out if you get a chance – you will find it to be a viable alternative to an SVT if you are not playing at the Coliseum. It is worth the weight!

Mahalo!

Ampeg SVT-810E Classic Series Bass Enclosure Review

Howdy!

Today we are looking at the mate to my Ampeg SVT-CL: a Classic Series SVT-810E bass enclosure. By the way, “bass enclosure” is a euphemism for “speaker cabinet.”

After finally adding an SVT to my collection, I tried a few different speaker combinations before I ended up with the dreaded 810. I tried an Ampeg 410E, but at 8 ohms it was horrible inefficient. I tried the 610HLF, but it was boomy and not as well-focused as the SVT-810E. So I finally bit the bullet and dragged one of these home. My wife had to help me unload it.

I was reluctant to go with the 810 as it is just a monster of a cabinet. It is not just a clever name, it is loaded up with eight 10-inch speakers and comes in at a whopping 140 pounds, which is more than I weighed when I graduated from high school.

The weight is worth it, as there is plenty of quality built into this enclosure. It Is constructed of Baltic birch plywood, which is some of the finest laminate wood I have ever worked with. The whole thing measures 48“ tall by 26” wide by 16” deep. The speakers are paired into four sealed enclosures (infinite baffle design) for a tighter response. Cups fit the feet of your SVT are embedded in the top of the cabinet to prevent the head from vibrating itself onto the floor.

To make it a bit more portable, Ampeg installed two recessed wheels on the back and a tilt-back grab handle, along with a couple of skid rails on the back. It still is not very pleasant to move, though.

The eight speakers each have 2-inch voice coils and 30 ounce magnets. The 810E can handle 800 watts at 4 ohms, with a frequency response of 58Hz to 5kHz. This is more than enough for my SVT-CL, and the color matches too. There are both ¼ inch and Neutrik Speakon jacks on the back, and you can run the cabinet in stereo if you want to, maybe you could stack two SVTs on top….

But, putting all of this aside, the main reason to pick up a SVT-810E is the tone. I bought this one new, and after the speakers broke in I have fallen in love the sound that thing puts out. There is a ton of volume, of course, but it also has very tight lows and mids. It has a very balanced sound and a super smooth response.

It is buttery smooth with enough power to knock down my garage. This is a tough combination to beat, and virtually unchanged since 1969.

For the past few years, these cabinets have been built overseas, but I have not noticed any difference in sound quality or build construction. In fact, I am pretty sure that the older ones did not use the Baltic plywood, as it has not been a popular building material until recently.

The Ampeg SVT-810E bass enclosure is a bit spendy, with a MSRP of $1399.99, and a street price of $999.99, but if you want the full SVT experience, you are going to have to pony up for one.

Mahalo!

Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Amplifier Review

Buenos dias, amigos!

Somehow I made it through 25 years of bass playing without ever owning an Ampeg tube amplifier. You see, I have always had lots of preconceived notions about Ampeg amps: they are heavy, unreliable and require too much maintenance. My opinions have changed, as I did not realize what I was missing out on all of these years, which is pure tube tone.

Today we are looking at a super-clean Ampeg SVT-CL Classic bass amplifier. The CL is a popular current iteration of the original SVT (Super Valve Technology) amplifier that was introduced in 1969. The SVT was the seminal high-powered bass amplifier that was developed for the loud rock concerts of the day.

The SVT-CL is a monstrous all-tube amp with two 12AX7 preamp tubes, two 12AU7 and one 12AX7 driver tubes and six 6550 power tubes. They are spring-mounted in the chassis for shock resistance along with a fan to keep them cool.

This amplifier has two inputs on the front: one normal and one padded (-15dB). You also find power and standby switches on the right side of the front panel; I hate it when the power switch is on the back. The tone controls include bass, mids, treble, an extra five way mid selector, and high/low boost switches. Of course there are gain and volume controls too.

The back of the amplifier has a polarity switch, two bias pots, a ¼-inch slave output, preamp out, power amp in, impedance selector (2ohm/4ohm), a balanced output, two ¼-inch speaker outs and a Speakon out. A panel comes off the back for access to the tube farm.

The SVT Classic puts out 300 watts of pure tube power into either 2 or 4 ohms. This does not sound like much in this day of solid state class D amps that weigh as much as a sandwich and put out 1000 watts of power. But the power ratings are deceptive. When cranking this pure tube power through my Ampeg 810 cabinet, it pushes just as much, if not more, air than my 600 watt Genz Benz amplifier.

One of the usual complaints about the SVT is its back-breaking weight, coming in at around 80 pounds. This is concentrated into a 24” wide enclosure that is 12” high and 13” deep. It is heavy, but the handles are well-positioned, and at least it is not heavy and really bulky, which could make it a total nightmare to move. Besides, that is why carts and dollys were invented.

Another complaint is that these amplifiers require too much maintenance and are unreliable. Although I have not had any problems with mine, I could see this point. Anything with lots of tubes is going to require work to stay performing at its best. It is like maintaining your car, if you keep up with maintenance, it will not crap out on you.

But any of these issues are negligible when you consider the tone that the Ampeg SVT cranks out. You can avoid a lot of searching for the perfect bass sound by trying one of these amplifiers first. I’ve found that my SVT through an 8x10 cabinet provides lots of bass (as expected), but also give super full and warm mids that really cut through the mix. And it accomplishes all of this without tons of work tending the knob farm – the controls are very simple.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Genz Benz Shuttle, but it has a more sterile sound when compared to the organic goodness of an all-tube Ampeg. I am addicted to the sound of this thing.

But the best things in life are not free, or even cheap. The Ampeg SVT-CL has a list price of $2379.99 and a street price of $1699.99. You can find them used for around $1000, but pay attention to where they are built. US-made amps have a price premium when compared to the Asian-built models.

Mahalo!

Ampeg B-15T Bass Amplifier Review

Howdy!

I have been a bass player and gear hound for years, so it is surprising that it took so long for an Ampeg amplifier to come into my life. It is a B-15T, which is not exactly regarded as the nicest planet in the Ampeg solar system.

The B-15T is a combo amplifier that was introduced in the early 1990s, and was only produced for a few years. This is the solid-state equivalent of the legendary Portaflex, and shares the same fliptop design.

These amplifiers put out 100 watts @ 4 ohms. The front panel has a pair of inputs (one of them is -15db), a ground lift, effect loop jacks and the power switch. The controls include gain, a 4-band EQ with puzzling push-pull pots, as well as master volume and balanced line out level controls.

On the back of the head is a mute switch, a ¼-inch headphone jack, a single speaker output, an auxiliary effects loop and a balanced line output.

The compact cabinet measures about 24-inches tall (with casters) by 21-inches wide by 14-inches deep, and the whole thing (with the amp) weighs in around 75 pounds. It has removable casters on the bottom, so it is easy to move around as well as a rod that threads into the cabinet so it can be tilted back. The B-15Ts were originally equipped with a 15-inch speaker: either a 100-watt Ampeg or an optional 200-watt EV EVM 15L; the speaker enclosure uses a twin triangular port design.

The one we have here shows a bit of road wear, but still works fine. It has the original EV EVM 15-L speaker, and still has all of the factory hardware, including the casters and the prop rod. I picked it up from a guy on Craigslist along with some other gear, including a Gallien-Krueger 400RB.

After playing it for awhile I’ve decided that the B-15T is just an ok package. It provides plenty of volume for smaller gigs or practice, but the tone is thin and muddy. It definitely does not have the traditional thunderous Ampeg tone. The EQ controls with the push-pull pots are pretty wonky.

But if you set aside the head, this speaker and cabinet design kick it. I’ve put my Genz Benz and GK amplifiers through this speaker and it sounds incredible. The cabinet does rattle a bit, so I need to go through it to tighten up the fasteners and install some weather-strip around where the fliptop lid fits on the cabinet.

I would not pay a whole lot for an Ampeg B-15T, but it is an acceptable starter or practice amp (as long as it has the optional EV speaker).

Mahalo!

Superhero Approved: 1969 Dan Armstrong Ampeg Bass

Howdy!

Today we are looking at the bass that Wonder Woman would play if she played bass. Well, and if she was real. It is a 1969 Dan Armstrong Ampeg 4-string bass.

These innovative basses were originally built from 1969 to 1971, and are truly the cat’s meow. Daddy-O. Ampeg built these basses (and guitars) in conjunction with Dan Armstrong, who owned a guitar repair shop in New York City. The design he came up with is definitely out there.

The most noticeable innovation is that the bodies for these basses are made of Plexiglas. Supposedly this material gives these instruments unbelievable sustain. But, sustain that lasts for days is not exactly the first thing I am looking for in an instrument. Playability and tone come before sustain for me.

These are short scale (30-inch) basses, but the maple necks are otherwise conventional with 24 frets and rosewood fretboards. The cutaways allow plenty of access to the upper frets for the more wanky amongst us.

Another cool feature of these basses is the interchangeable pickup. These were designed by Bill Lawrence, who happened to share shop space with Armstrong. I have not heard of anybody actually using this feature and swapping pickups around, but it was possible.

The hardware is an odd mixture. Patent Pending Grover tuning machines were used, and at the other end is a bizarre chrome bridge with a wood nut. The pick guard is a hokey looking wood-grained thing, but it is almost co corny that it is good. Plus it matches the stuff they covered the headstock with.

This particular bass is one I owned a few years back. It was unmodified, and had no repairs other than the addition of reinforcement at the output jack on the pickguard (where all of these break), as well as a new output jack.

There were a few scuffs, but they looked like they could be polished out with a plastic cleaner like you would use on motorcycle or race car windscreens.

The frets were in prime shape as it was strung with flatwounds when I bought it. Not bad for a 40 year old bass.

It played very well and sounded great. I had my guy set it up with roundwounds and it had a surprisingly full tone for such a short-scale bass.

If you are dying to get one of these basses, check on eBay, as there is usually one or two of the originals for sale there Ampeg also re-issued these in 2006, so that could be an option for you too.

Mahalo!

Tech 21 VT Bass Pedal Review

Aloha!

I have yet to own an Ampeg SVT amplifier, although they have been widely used in the industry forever. They are the definition of bass tube amp sound, and I have seen them on stages everywhere. But, they are ungodly heavy, and cost quite a bit of coin.

Enter the Tech 21 VT Bass pedal. This thing aims to provide all of the rich tube-ish goodness, in a small and affordable package. And it does this pretty well.

Tech 21 has been around since 1989, and gained fame with the original SansAmp. They have since branched out into effects and amplifiers as well. This pedal is part of their Character Series, which emulate different amplifier sounds. I do not know about all of their products, but the VT Bass pedal I got was labelled that it was made in the US.

The VT Bass is a medium-sized pedal that measures about 3.5 inches wide, by 4.5 inches long and 2 inches tall. It does not take up too much space on my pedal board. I peeled the little rubber feet off the case so I could add velcro to the bottom. It takes a 9-volt battery, or you can plug in a standard power source.

I had better get it out of the way, and start with my 2 biggest dislikes of the pedal. 1. It looks hokey: a picture of grill cloth and tolex is not going to make this thing sound any more like an Ampeg. 2. This thing is made of sort sort of really light metal, and it just feels cheap.

For this test, I used a very good passive Fender 57 re-issue Precision Bass strung with D’Addario Chromes (volume and tone pots dimed). I also used a 2-band active Musicman Stingray 4H (all controls set at 1/2).

For amplification I used my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 through a Genz Benz Uber Bass 410 cabinet. I changed my usual amp settings ti include less gain (9 o’clock, or so) into the tube pre-amp and not much boost to the low frequencies.

I plugged the pedal both directly into the input jack, as well as through the amplifier's effects loop.

The VT Bass has 1/4-inch input and output jacks. I was a little surprised to find that there is no XLR output. Not that I ever use one, but they seem to be on most of their other SanasAmp products.

The controls are not too weird: an ON/OFF footswitch, LEVEL, LOW, MID, HIGH, DRIVE and CHARACTER. Ahhh, CHARACTER.

And CHARACTER is where the magic happens on this pedal. This thing lives up to the hype. As you turn the CHARACTER knob up, the sound progresses from classic SVT to heavy tube to nasty/crunchy distorted sounds. This pedal is a rocking dream.

I never found the need to dial in much DRIVE. I mostly left this knob adjusted between 3 and 6 o'clock.

And I left the LOW, MID and HIGH equalizer knobs mostly around 6 o'clock. The pedal is pretty easy to set up the way you like it. I mostly left it alone once I got the tone I wanted.

The VT Bass does not add any hiss or offensive noise to my signal chain, and the switch does not pop when the effect is turned ON or OFF. I do not know if it has "true bypass", but I suspect it does not.

Here are some final details:

The VT Bass comes in a nice metal tin along with the paperwork and instructions. I will probably give the box to my kid to put his stuff in. How much crap do I need?

Tech 21 pedals come with a 1-year limited warranty. I wold like to see a bit more of a warranty. It cannot cost them very much to build these things, and better warranty would provide more peace of mind.

The list price of the Tech 21 VT Bass is $199, with a street price of $149. It certainly is cheaper and lighter than an Ampeg SVT.